Hokies Journal: September 27, 2009 - October 3, 2009

Virginia Tech’s players left the field Saturday without a hint of satisfaction. No smiles, no high fives, no celebration. In the moments after Virginia Tech’s 34-26 win over Duke, the Hokies’ tempered reaction provided evidence of an unfulfilling and unconvincing...

UPDATED | 1:40 p.m. DURHAM, N.C. -- Blake DeChristopher and John Graves, each listed as probable for the Duke game, did not appear in the starting lineup. DeChristopher, a right tackle, did not start after spraining his left ankle last...

DURHAM, N.C. -- It's a beautiful Saturday morning on Tobacco Road. Here are some links for you this morning. The Durham Herald-Sun has its three keys to the game for the Blue Devils. While the Hokies are hoping to avoid...

Last year, Virginia Tech played Tyrod Taylor and Sean Glennon at quarterback. This year, Duke has used two quarterbacks. The Blue Devils have used Thaddeus Lewis and Sean Renfree to lead a passing offense that ranks 25th nationally through four...

Saturday is almost here. Meantime, here are some links to keep you occupied. Last week, I wrote a story about how Lane Stadium is one of the most hostile places to play in college football, thanks especially to that menacing...

For a second straight week, Virginia Tech will be healthy as it prepares to play an ACC game. The No. 6 Hokies (3-1, 1-0) play at Duke (2-2) on Saturday. Right tackle Blake DeChristopher (ankle), rover Davon Morgan (shoulder), wide...

In three of four games this season, Duke’s offensive line has allowed zero or one sacks. But Coach David Cutcliffe is most concerned with how his offensive line will play this weekend against Virginia Tech. That is mostly because of...

Running back Ryan Williams is tied for second nationally in rushing touchdowns (eight) and is sixth in rushing yards per game (123). But his early success would not be possible without the quiet but powerful force: fullback Kenny Jefferson. “His...

Last week, Virginia Tech announced it would be holding a fundraiser in honor of Boston College linebacker Mark Herzlich, who has cancer. On Wednesday, it announced that it had altered the scope of its goal. After surpassing the initial goal...

Have a question about Virginia Tech? Maryland? Virginia? Navy? Do you want to hear predictions regarding which team will pull a big upset this weekend? The Post is holding an online college football chat at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday. A...

Quarterback Tyrod Taylor earned the nickname "T-Mobile" for his highlight-reel moments running the football. But at times this season, he has seemed hesitant to break the pocket and make plays with his legs. In Saturday’s 31-7 win over Miami, Taylor...

During the summer, players and coaches talked about how Virginia Tech’s offensive line had come together, how it was more athletic and how that all equated to its improvement. It did not always show in the Hokies’ first few games....

Jake Johnson looks perfectly fit for the role of fearsome linebacker. He has tattoos on each of his shoulders, with a large grim reaper on his right arm. He shaved his head, he said, because it looks intimidating. While the...

Last week, Bud Foster was not a happy man. Virginia Tech's defensive coordinator was fuming – he used words like “appalling,” “embarrassing” and “unacceptable” to describe his unit’s play – because the Hokies' defensive was not performing like the Hokies'...

In a 14-3 win over Duke last year, Virginia Tech allowed the Blue Devils to hang around in part because of five turnovers. The Hokies lost two fumbles and threw three interceptions in that game. But as the No. 6...

Torrian Gray, Virginia Tech’s defensive backs coach, said that cornerback Stephan Virgil was not totally healthy against Miami and might not be for the rest of the season as he battles a knee injury. That was why Gray was so...

One of the lessons that Rashad Carmichael learned from his mentor, Brandon Flowers, a former all-American cornerback at Virginia Tech, is the importance of studying film. So in January, Carmichael cut off his cable so he could dedicate time to...

When told recently that Demetrius Taylor wanted to be an FBI agent, Virginia Tech Coach Frank Beamer arched his eyebrows and said, “Is that right?” What was widely known about Taylor, a Hokies’ defensive tackle, is his strength. Taylor, a...

After Virginia Tech’s 31-7 win over Miami on Saturday, Ryan Williams dabbed at the cuts on his arms and hands. He was still sopping wet and speckled with mud and blades of grass. It was the evidence of a long...

As a senior at Damascus High School in 2004, Matt Reidy scored 17 rushing touchdowns as a running back. Since then, Reidy, a fifth-year senior, was made a rover on defense, played mostly special teams and had never found the...

Although Virginia Tech earned a 31-7 victory Saturday over Miami, it came at a cost. The Hokies got banged up. There were a number of injuries reported after the game, although the conditions of the players were not released. On...